Norwegians back on top in nordic skiing

Marit Bjoergen won her sixth career gold medal by leading a Norwegian sweep in the women’s 30-kilometer cross-country race. Bjoergen is now the most decorated female Winter Olympian in history with 10 total medals and six gold, including three in Sochi and three from Vancouver. Her career total puts her one ahead of Russian cross-country skier Lyubov Egorova, who had six golds and three silvers. Two other women — Stafania Belmondo of Italy and Soviet skier Raisa Smetanina — also have 10 medals, but fewer golds. Therese Johaug took silver in the 30K race, while Kristin Stoermer Steira completed the Norwegian sweep by winning bronze.

Speedskating

The Dutch men’s team of Sven Kramer, Jan Blokhuijsen and Koen Verweij set an Olympic record of 3 minutes, 37.71 seconds in the team pursuit. In the women’s race, the Netherlands trio of Ireen Wust, Marrit Leenstra and Jorien ter Mors also set an Olympic record of 2:58.05.

Hockey

Six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne scored two goals to help Finland rout the U.S. 5-0 in the game for bronze. Finland has won four medals in the last five Olympics, more than any other nation in the NHL era. The 43-year-old Selanne and Jussi Jokinen scored 11 seconds apart early in the second period to give Finland the advantage. Then the Finns scored three goals in the third period against an American team that looked like it would rather be at home. Canada and Sweden face off today for the gold.

Alpine skiing

Austrian Mario Matt’s victory in the men’s slalom makes him the oldest alpine champion in Olympic history. Matt, who turns 35 in April, surpasses now-retired Norwegian great Kjetil Andre Aamodt as the oldest skier to win an alpine race.

Biathlon

Russian anchor Anton Shipulin beat Germany’s Simon Schempp on the final lap to give the host nation its first biathlon gold of the Sochi Games. Defending champion Norway led for most of the race but dropped to fourth after anchor Emil Hegle Svendsen missed three targets in his final shooting.

Snowboarding

Vic Wild of Russia captured his second gold by winning the Olympic debut of men’s parallel slalom snowboarding. The American-born Wild and another adopted Russian, former South Korean short track speedskater Viktor Ahn, have won five of Russia’s 11 gold medals in Sochi. In the women’s parallel slalom, Austria’s Julia Dujmovits edged Anke Karstens of Germany at the finish.